Neuschwanstein Castle might be one of the most famous castles in the world an looks like something straight out of a Disney movie. In fact, it was the inspiration behind Cinderella’s castle. When you are planning to visit the Bavarian Alps, you can’t miss out on visiting this iconic German landmark. You will be rewarded with panoramic views, alpine hikes and a fairytale charm: a trip to Neuschwanstein is magical. In this Neuschwanstein castle travel guide, I’ll walk you through how to visit Schloss Neuschwanstein, including the practical tips like where to park and the best view points. Whether you are roadtripping through southern Germany or planning a day trip from Munich or Füssen, this Neuschwanstein travel guide will help you make the most of your trip!
Also read my Garmisch-Partenkirchen travel guide, with other things to do in the region
It is also possible to pre-book a tour to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich.
Hohenswangau: Hotel Alpenstuben (€140)
Füssen: City Apart Hotel Füssen (€160)
Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Bavaria Biohotel (€200), Ferienwohnung Theresia (€150), Hotel Schatten (€160)
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Neuschwanstein Castle is open year-round, but the best time to visit is during spring and early autumn. In summer, the castle can get extremely crowded, while in winter, the area is covered in snow. Although beautiful, this will limit the views and hiking options.
Neuschwanstein is often visited as a day trip from Munich, a 2 hour drive. The nearest city is Füssen (10 minutes), while Schloss Neuschwanstein can also be reached from Garmisch-Partenkirchen (1 hour). If you are using public transport, take a train to Füssen and then bus 73 or 78 to Hohenschwangau, which is the village at the foot of the castle.
If you are driving, you can park your car for €10 a day at one of the four official parking lots (P1 – P4) in Hohenschwangau:
P1: The largest parking lot, located near the Alpsee and ticket center. Great for visiting both Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles.
P2: Smaller, often used when other lots are full.
P3: Ideal if you’re heading straight up to Neuschwanstein or Marienbrücke by foot. You can also easily reach the Alpsee.
P4 : Next to the Schlosshotel; limited spots but very central and the starting point of the shuttle bus to Neuschwanstein castle.
From Hohenschwangau, you have three options to reach the castle:
Walking the uphill path, which is largely shaded. The route takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes. We didn’t know this in advance, and weren’t aware there was some walking to do. Alternatively, you can take the shuttle bus that runs every 15 minutes from Hohenswangau (P4) to a spot near Marienbrücke. Tickets can be purchased at the spot and a ticket each way costs €3,50. A return ticket costs €5 (2025 prices). Alternatively, you can take a horse-drawn carriage, however, this doesn’t go all the way to the top and you still have to walk to the castle.
If you are looking for the most iconic photo spot on the castle, you sure have to go to Marienbrücke first. Well, actually this is a place you can’t miss, as it will be on all signs and this is where the shuttle stops. Also, this is where most of the crowds are found! From the main entrance of the castle, it is about a 15-minute uphill walk to Marienbrücke. It can get very crowded during midday, so try to visit early or late in the day. Also, crowds generally come and go, therefore waiting in the area of Marienbrücke for a while, might rewards you with fewer crowds
Overall, Neuschwanstein Castle is a place that’s mainly admired from the outside. Most tours don’t even visit the inside of the castle.
While the exterior steals the show and is a must visit, the inside of the castle is also supposed to be impressive. Nevertheless, I would see this as optional. The tour is around 30 minutes and includes access to King Ludwigs II’s throme room and bedroom.
Nevertheless, if you are travelling and seeking “value for money” advise, I would recommend to skip the inside. As said, the exterior is most impressive, while you only pay entry fees for the interior.
However, if you decide to visit the castle from the inside, I would recommend to book your tickets for Neuschwanstein in advance to avoid long lines.
Tip: If you are travelling by shuttle to the Marienbrücke and are not visiting the castle, make sure to still walk down to the entrance. There are some great views to be found!
Book your Neuschwanstein Castle tickets in advance.
Here’s an additional tip: try finding additional views of Neuschwanstein by hiking further up than Marienbrücke. When open, continue op the trail behind the bridge for more viewpoints. When we visited, the trail was closed, so we decided to hike up from the shuttle location at Marienbrücke for far fewer people. The views aren’t as pretty, but it is fun seeking different view points! . We did hike towards Säulinghaus until we saw a view over Neuschwanstein. Afterards, we decided to walk back. If you feel like it, there are opportunities to hike to for example Bleckenau for some food. The trail is moderately steep, but not difficult. Nevertheless, I would advise to wear good shoes.
While you are visiting Neuschwanstein, it is easy to also spend some time wandering around Hohenschwangau. If you like visiting castles, you can add a visit to Hohenschwangau Castle to your trip. Additionally, you can head to the Alpsee and take a walk around the lake, rent a paddle boat or just enjoy this beautiful area. We decided to have a quick look, but took limited time as we were planning to have a beer at the Schlossbrauhaus before heading to the famous Eibsee.
If you are seeking more views over Neuschwanstein, you can take the Tegelberg cable car up the mountain for views over the valley, Alspee Lake and Neuschwanstein in the distance. From the upper station, there are also several hiking trails. At first, we were highly enthousiastic about this idea, however, we felt we were saturated. Also, the Tegelbergbahn isn’t cheap. Personally, I would recommend spending this on the Jennerbahn and enjoying the hikes around Berchtesgaden.
When driving to Schlossbrauhaus Schwangau from Neuschwanstein Castle, you will be rewarded with more amazing views on the castle Also, this is a great place to enjoy a local beer (they serve their own craftbeers) and lunch after your Neuschwanstein visit!
If you don’t want to pack your Bavaria road trip with to many different locations to stay, I would recommend visiting Neuswanstein Castle from Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Bavaria Biohotel: A beautiful and centrally located hotel in the city centre of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The rooms are cosy and bright, and a breakfast buffet is served in the morning. Rooms start from around €200 a night.
Ferienwohnung Theresia: If you prefer an apartment, this is the perfect place to stay. Centrally located with all the comfort you need, including private parking and a balcony. Prices start from €150 a night.
Hotel Schatten: Located on 700 meters from the Garmisch-Partenkirchen centre, this is a great location when visiting Bavaria. The wooden touch brings the wintersport and southern-Germany vibes. There is a minimum stay of 3 nights, starting at €160 a night.
Alternatively, you can stay close to the castle or stay in Füssen, which is only a 10 minute drive from the castle.
Hotel Alpenstuben: A cosy hotel with views on Schloss Neuschwanstein. The perfect place if you want to leave early to explore. Prices start around €140 a night.
City Apart Hotel Füssen: Located in the pedestrian zone in Füssen and located by cafés and restaurants, this is the perfect place if you want to combine an evening in the city, while staying close to the castle for an early morning visit. You can stay here for around €160 a night.
